High Park Fire 100 percent contained

Jun. 30, 2012

The High Park Fire destroyed some homes in Glacier View Meadows subdivision, while others were left unscathed. An evacuated home is pictured Wednesday, shortly after evacuees were allowed to return. / Robert Allen/The Coloradoan

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The High Park Fire was fully contained contained by Saturday evening, and electric power is being restored to homes three weeks after the devastating blaze erupted west of Fort Collins.

The fire that destroyed 259 homes and killed one person in an area spanning from above Poudre Canyon to Horsetooth Reservoir, and deep west into the Roosevelt National Forest to Pingree Park Road, finally was brought under control.

The fire that began June 9 had multiple flare-ups that caused some people to evacuate twice. Most of the evacuees have been able to return, and more firefighters also are returning home each day. Mop-up operations are under way.

A total of 686 personnel remain on the incident that had reached about 2,000 at its peak.

The High Park Fire was, for a couple weeks, the most destructive wildfire in state history. But that title now goes to the Waldo Canyon Fire, which destroyed 346 homes and killed two people.